2017 Subaru Crosstrek

While a brand new Impreza is slated to arrive in Canadian showrooms for model year 2017, its outdoors-ready sibling, the Crosstrek, continues on for another year.

Based on the Impreza Hatchback, the Crosstrek launched four years ago as the XV Crosstrek, and quickly became popular with crossover shoppers. The XV boasted the virtues of the standard Impreza - great fuel economy, a comfortable ride, strong safety scores, and all-weather traction - plus class-leading levels of ground clearance and rugged styling. Its spacious interior and cargo hold, plus its affordable price tag made it a formidable competitor to the likes of the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V.

The XV Crosstrek was updated for 2016 with freshened styling, additional equipment, greatly improved infotainment systems. In the process, Subaru dropped the XV portion of its name.

For 2017, Subaru piled on safety gear with blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert, which is available for the first time on the Crosstrek. It's standard on the mid-grade Sport trim level and up. Subaru continues to offer its EyeSight safety package which includes emergency autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control; it's available on Sport and Limited trim levels. EyeSight is included on vehicles with the Technology Package.

Joining the range for this year is the Kazan Edition, which packs accessories, different styling details, and added equipment. Kazan, Japanese for "volcano," includes firey Pure Red paint, red interior trim and stitching, plus a larger rear spoiler, a mesh grille, rear step pad, LED turn signals integrated into the side mirrors, and different alloy wheels. The Kazan Edition is positioned one step up from the base level in terms of price, but includes a power sunroof, a touchscreen stereo, and heated cloth and leather-upholstered seats.

All Crosstreks are powered by a 2.0-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine which produces 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. While not especially powerful, the Crosstrek is efficient, particularly when equipped with the optional Lineartronic CVT transmission - it uses 9.1 L/100 km city and 7.2 L/100 km highway. A five-speed manual transmission is also offered, but it uses more fuel - 10.3 L/100 km city and 7.8 L/100 km highway. Buyers considering models equipped with EyeSight should note that this technology is only available with the CVT.

The Crosstrek was formerly available as a hybrid, but production has ceased. While the standard Crosstrek can't match the Crosstrek Hybrid for consumption, all current models carry PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) certification.

Pricing for the 2017 Crosstrek starts at $24,995 for the Touring trim, and tops out at $32,295 for the Limited with Technology Package.